I am not sure what to think of this book. I thought I would love journeying through the various chapters on the interesting aspects of mathematics, buI am not sure what to think of this book. I thought I would love journeying through the various chapters on the interesting aspects of mathematics, but I find that I am not. Maybe I failed mathematics so much that I cannot even understand Strogatz's explanations. I did find some bits interesting and worth sharing with my kids. And I did find it amusing that every time I was able to solve a problem, Strogatz informed me that I was part of the norm regarding the answer I offered. But overall, I am not sure this book has made me more appreciative of mathematics....more

Ben Elton is a semi-fictious humour type author. Inconceivable and Sparks are such books. Two Brothers is a new kind of book for Ben Elton. After readBen Elton is a semi-fictious humour type author. Inconceivable and Sparks are such books. Two Brothers is a new kind of book for Ben Elton. After reading Two Brothers, I was about to put it down, rather dissapointed at the fact that Ben Elton was trying to make money out of the great wars. But the last chapter reveals it all, and I felt a great sense of relief. Ben Elton is defintely a great author....more

Five stars for a book I helped edit. The aim is to present stories from teachers about their successful use of Digital Video in the language classroomFive stars for a book I helped edit. The aim is to present stories from teachers about their successful use of Digital Video in the language classroom....more

This is a basic introductory book into saving money. It explains the basic process to follow in order to get your finances organised and to start makiThis is a basic introductory book into saving money. It explains the basic process to follow in order to get your finances organised and to start making money. I recommend it for beginners, but not if you have already red quite a few books on the matter....more

Outliers is an interesting book, which I used as part of my PhD. I found it interesting that outliers for most part are not blessed by superpowers, thOutliers is an interesting book, which I used as part of my PhD. I found it interesting that outliers for most part are not blessed by superpowers, they are blessed with being borned or located in the right place at the right time. Some outliers are smart and fall off the planet, while others are just dumb, poor but motivated to survive. I'll never be an outlier, but for all those out there.... Keep going....more

This book is a little difficult to handle at first, a lot of content, a lot of repetition, but overall a great book to own. However keep in mind thatThis book is a little difficult to handle at first, a lot of content, a lot of repetition, but overall a great book to own. However keep in mind that this book is about foreclosure and the premise of the book is that you will buy a foreclosure, do it up and sale it.There is very little information on keeping the house (hold). There is no explanation of that. I guess there is a "managing real estate for dummies", so that will be my next read. I recommend this book because it really explains all the challenges that beginning investors will face. For example HUD are owner-occupied, I did a research on that and it is possible to buy HUD foreclosure, but only after no owner occupied wants it. So as the author states, read, research and then invest carefully....more

The beginning of the books is vague. The author claims purchasing properties, but he actually does not explain how he achieves his millions. The authoThe beginning of the books is vague. The author claims purchasing properties, but he actually does not explain how he achieves his millions. The author gives just a brief summary (this + this = million). But real estate is not as easy as he claims in the few starting chapters, and the content he provides does not give enough information to truly understand the process of his acquisition. From Chapter 8 onwards then it gets better, and the author provides some information and calculation methods to invest wisely in property. However, do not rely on this book alone. I recommend that you read other books on real estate to get a full picture....more

This book focuses on the US market and the author provides good insight for beginners' thinking of purchasing real estate. I found chapter 1 to be a gThis book focuses on the US market and the author provides good insight for beginners' thinking of purchasing real estate. I found chapter 1 to be a good supporter for considering real estate investment. Chapter 3 was not really clear and the graphs were confusing.The book also compares single versus multiple family dwelling and this was a good read because I was not aware of that.Readers be warn that the calculations are on a monthly basis and this distorts annual figures. However calculation analysis for resale of property were accurate.I recommend this book as a starter....more

the book is good and simple, but it targets the UK housing market, not the US market.It is a beginner's guide so most of the general content applicablthe book is good and simple, but it targets the UK housing market, not the US market.It is a beginner's guide so most of the general content applicable to any market, I was aware of.My favorite chapters were, chapters 11, 15 and 16 since these dealt with borrowing and funding a real estate purchase.It is a good introduction to purchasing real estate, and it did confirm what I already suspected, but it did not deliver or present anything new....more

Second best book after Satanic Verses. The author travels through India on the shoulders of his character to interpret the meaning of life in this couSecond best book after Satanic Verses. The author travels through India on the shoulders of his character to interpret the meaning of life in this country. Sometimes disturbing, but for most part enlightening....more

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant. At last a book that condenses the history of linguistics in laymen's terms as well as in a very simple structure makiBrilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant. At last a book that condenses the history of linguistics in laymen's terms as well as in a very simple structure making the content easy to absorb. Kenneally refered to the crows of my country; New Caledonia. Such a nice reference to read....more

A very noisy book that could have been condensed a lot more. The advice given are great and clear enough for anyone to understand. But the stories areA very noisy book that could have been condensed a lot more. The advice given are great and clear enough for anyone to understand. But the stories are long and redundant and distract the reader from absorbing the simple facts. A nice little present for a dad willing to change....more

I highly recommend it for any traveller. This book is an excelent journey through the history of Salt. Fascinating, but at times the author provides iI highly recommend it for any traveller. This book is an excelent journey through the history of Salt. Fascinating, but at times the author provides information that digress from the main topic. After reading this book I felt encouraged to want to read more about the history of various foods and objects. ...more

I read the chapters on research methods. These provided good general advice that concurred with my other research readings. However the authors do comI read the chapters on research methods. These provided good general advice that concurred with my other research readings. However the authors do comment that there are better books out there on research design for mobile interaction. It actually is an interesting book for understanding the design of mobile technology....more

A required reading for my PhD and a good investment towards my studies. It is a better read than Stakes' work on Case Studies; more succinct and clearA required reading for my PhD and a good investment towards my studies. It is a better read than Stakes' work on Case Studies; more succinct and clear. It comes with a complementary reading that provides examples of Case Studies conducted, but it is not necessary....more

A great book, but a bit long at times and very interesting in other parts. I can't tell you much without giving the book away, so read it and enjoy itA great book, but a bit long at times and very interesting in other parts. I can't tell you much without giving the book away, so read it and enjoy it. What surprised me is that the main character is from Australia. I had not expected that....more

Elton's worst book. Compare "blind faith" with "this other Eden" and you can clearly see why it is his worst book ever. Even compared to "High SocietyElton's worst book. Compare "blind faith" with "this other Eden" and you can clearly see why it is his worst book ever. Even compared to "High Society" it is bad. Actually both have similarities, for example the main character delivers a hollywoodian type monologue to the public to have the carpet swept from under their feet. The future looks gloomy....more

Maybe the first book was great, but this one, is flawed. Lovelock would willing build his house over a nuclear waste area, this is nonsense really, anMaybe the first book was great, but this one, is flawed. Lovelock would willing build his house over a nuclear waste area, this is nonsense really, and it does not win my vote for nuclear proliferation. Here is a challenge to Lovelock, Britain would rather spend 6billion dollars on a few nuclear powered submarines, than installed solar energy panels to provide electricity to the whole of England! Now that is nonsense....more

I recommend this book every time I make a presentation at a conference. It provides us with a realistic view of the world. However once you get the maI recommend this book every time I make a presentation at a conference. It provides us with a realistic view of the world. However once you get the main idea, the book becomes repetitive. Still it is a book worth reading....more

A great travel book. Even if it is writen by a movie start, it is still a good read, and the photos are great. It made me want to jump on my bike andA great travel book. Even if it is writen by a movie start, it is still a good read, and the photos are great. It made me want to jump on my bike and tour Taiwan, but then work called!...more

This is the type of book I would recommend (compared to "authoring a PhD". How to write a lot, is simple to the point and very comprehensible. ActuallThis is the type of book I would recommend (compared to "authoring a PhD". How to write a lot, is simple to the point and very comprehensible. Actually a little too comprehensible; I could have written it. Which is the point, I didn't and the author did; why? He wrote a lot. So don't procrastinate, get a book and read a lot too!...more

It is a good read with lots of honest good ideas, but it reads like a pompous heavy load book. When it comes to learning about authoring a PhD, simpleIt is a good read with lots of honest good ideas, but it reads like a pompous heavy load book. When it comes to learning about authoring a PhD, simple advice is always the best. This way is not a book I would read in a day, but I guess that is what academia is all about....more

**spoiler alert** A brilliant story, so why only 3 stars?, The main character is weak, the ending is weak. The worst thing to do to a character is kil**spoiler alert** A brilliant story, so why only 3 stars?, The main character is weak, the ending is weak. The worst thing to do to a character is kill it, and well sorry for telling you that, but imho the main character did not have to die. On the contrary, she could have been used to salvage the representation of women in that era....more

The first part of the book is excellent, and imho, I think it should have stopped there. The second part is bizarre and I am not sure it actually reprThe first part of the book is excellent, and imho, I think it should have stopped there. The second part is bizarre and I am not sure it actually represents the Hindi percpetion of supernatural life. The writing is great and easy to follow. Unfortunately, the second part really left me cold. I would not recommend it....more

I decided to read Sherlock Holmes stories to find out what he would say about conducting research. Maybe he would be able to explain how to write my PI decided to read Sherlock Holmes stories to find out what he would say about conducting research. Maybe he would be able to explain how to write my PhD proposal!! I found that after a while the stories became repetitive. The structure was very formulaic and Holmes was not at all challenged by any of the adventures. Like him I became restless to finish the case and move on....more

After Dark, is good for in transit terminals. It is also a good descriptive of what life can be like in Tokyo. But the story is flat, no charm, no twiAfter Dark, is good for in transit terminals. It is also a good descriptive of what life can be like in Tokyo. But the story is flat, no charm, no twist, no acid filled eccentrism....more

I read "a Wild Sheep Chase" after reading "Kafka on the Shore" and it just doesn't compare. It is good, the plot is intriguing, and the twist bizarre,I read "a Wild Sheep Chase" after reading "Kafka on the Shore" and it just doesn't compare. It is good, the plot is intriguing, and the twist bizarre, but the book doesn't have the magic of Kafka. I still recommend it for a short flight....more

Read this book in two days non-stop and all I ate was toast, so I would limit my eating time and increase my reading time. Great! Great! Great!. AdmitRead this book in two days non-stop and all I ate was toast, so I would limit my eating time and increase my reading time. Great! Great! Great!. Admitedly I did not really like the first chapter, it was difficult to get into it. So I jumped two chapters and then the magic began. Don't take it on a long flight. Disappear for a week end, and read it....more